Encroachments irk Ramban residents

While talking to Greater Kashmir, they alleged, “Shopkeepers have illegally encroached upon the footpaths and pavements. They keep their merchandise on the footpaths and pavements, hindering the movement of pedestrians.”

People, belonging to various town of Ramban district, are aghast at the district administration and enforcing agencies for failing to clear encroachments off the pavements, footpaths and lanes of their towns.

While talking to Greater Kashmir, they alleged, “Shopkeepers have illegally encroached upon the footpaths and pavements. They keep their merchandise on the footpaths and pavements, hindering the movement of pedestrians.”

Raman Sharma, a resident of Batote town, alleged, “The footpath along the Jammu-Srinagar highway always remains occupied with the the merchandise of shopkeepers. It hinders the smooth flow of traffic and as a result, traffic jams have become an order of the day.” Abdul Raheem, a sarpanch, blamed that district administration. “The Ramban town looks like a place where encroachments are legal. Most of the officers of the administration see the encroachments every day, but no one wants to do anything about it.”

Pedestrians complained, “It gets very difficult to walk along the Jammu-Srinagar highway because of encroachments. The shopkeepers also park their vehicles in front of their shops and on the pavements. Why isn’t the administration doing anything about it?”

They appealed to the concerned officers to look into the issue and redress it.